The origins of the Caped Crusader of Gotham City are finally brought to the big screen in this new adaptation of the perennially popular comic-book series. The young Bruce Wayne (Gus Lewis) leads a privileged life as the son of wealthy,… MoreThe origins of the Caped Crusader of Gotham City are finally brought to the big screen in this new adaptation of the perennially popular comic-book series. The young Bruce Wayne (Gus Lewis) leads a privileged life as the son of wealthy, philanthropist parents, both of whom stress their commitment to improving the lives of the citizens of crime-ridden Gotham City. After his mother and father are murdered by a mugger, however, Wayne grows into an impudent young man (Christian Bale), full of rage and bent on retribution until encouraged by his childhood sweetheart, Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), to search for answers beyond his own personal vendettas. Wayne eventually finds discipline in the Far East under the tutelage of Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the mysterious League of Shadows who guides him in the study of martial arts -- and the ways in which an ordinary man can hone his senses to an almost superhuman acuity. After seven years away from Gotham, Wayne returns, determined to bring peace and safety back to the city. With the help of his faithful manservant, Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), a scientist at his late father's corporation, Wayne develops a secret identity as Batman, a masked fighter for justice. But when a shady psychiatrist (Cillian Murphy) joins forces with the criminal underworld, Wayne realizes that putting an end to their nefarious plans will be very difficult indeed. Batman Begins also features Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon and Tom Wilkinson as the crime boss Carmine Falcone. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Consensus:
Brooding and dark, but also exciting and smart, Batman Begins is a film that understands the essence of one of the definitive superheroes.

Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Nolan takes an admirable stab at developing a character-driven drama, only to give in to generic action-movie conventions with a blinding, deafening, explosion-laden finale that could have capped off any number of interchangeable Jerry Bruckheimer flicks.

Hands down the best "reboot" movie of all time, this one has it all. Nolan takes great care in setting up the backstory of the Caped Crusader in the… MoreHands down the best "reboot" movie of all time, this one has it all. Nolan takes great care in setting up the backstory of the Caped Crusader in the first half of the film. The second half kicks into overdrive and ends with a fantastic finish.

Josh Lewis

Batman Begins re-established the Batman franchise as something that can deliver the blockbuster goods while also delivering a grounded and human story that… MoreBatman Begins re-established the Batman franchise as something that can deliver the blockbuster goods while also delivering a grounded and human story that connects with everyone. This is not a gothic Burton freakshow, nor is it the soulless special effects drivel that Schumacher made. Nolan understands the importance of a good origin story and delivers. This is not wall to wall action, but it holds your attention from the get go and the pacing is just right. Christian Bale is the Batman the series has always needed. He is by far the best actor to ever play the role and will be hard to top if WB ever decides to continue on after Nolan's saga. Everything Nolan set up in terms of the origin story with the League of Shadows and Ra's Al Ghul (played by a fantastic Liam Neeson) has not been attempted before and it was the perfect way to start his vision of the character. Add in Morgan Freeman as Lucious Fox, Michael Caine as Alfred, and Gary Oldman as Gordon and you have the pieces in place for something special. Katie Holmes is the weak link, but she isn't awful. Overall, Batman Begins is probably the most traditional made of Nolan's series before he forever changed the landscape of superhero films with The Dark Knight, but it is still fantastic.

Samuel Riley

A great opening chapter to a sucessful trilogy. Featuring a superb cast, a strong script and plenty of action. Faith towards the comics is strong and can be… MoreA great opening chapter to a sucessful trilogy. Featuring a superb cast, a strong script and plenty of action. Faith towards the comics is strong and can be easily seen through the dark atmosphere, along with the performances of Christian Bale,Cillian Murphy and Liam Neeson.

Matthew Samuel Mirliani

Epic, dark, and intense, the film is a fantastic start to the Dark Knight trilogy. Though it lacks the power the following film runs on, Batman Begins has its… MoreEpic, dark, and intense, the film is a fantastic start to the Dark Knight trilogy. Though it lacks the power the following film runs on, Batman Begins has its own iconic feel to it and is a thrill to watch.

Eugene Bernabe

The first chapter in the proposed "Dark Knight Trilogy" is dark, compelling, and articulate. Christopher Nolan's marvelous input to the origins… MoreThe first chapter in the proposed "Dark Knight Trilogy" is dark, compelling, and articulate. Christopher Nolan's marvelous input to the origins of the Caped Crusader gives a good start to the trilogy. With a strong cast (Bale, Caine, Neesen, Freeman, Holmes & Oldman) along with an ominous plot, Batman Begins enthralls its audiences worldwide. 4.5/5

Christian C

I love action and I love Christian Bale. This film won't disappoint!

Joshua Wilburn

I know following up Batman & Robin isn't the hardest feat in the world, but this film did so much more then that. This is the true story of a phoenix.… MoreI know following up Batman & Robin isn't the hardest feat in the world, but this film did so much more then that. This is the true story of a phoenix. Batman went from being a complete joke to being one of the greatest film trilogies in recent history. This being the first and some would say the best of the trilogy. Casting perfect, direction amazing, and the music made it an instant classic. Christopher Nolan was always a great director but this was the first sign of what was to come from the one we all have grown to know as Nolan.

Chris Weber

For years, I always held the two Tim Burton Batman films as the best in the series. I am now (kinda) wrong. Batman Begins revitalizes the series, focuses more… MoreFor years, I always held the two Tim Burton Batman films as the best in the series. I am now (kinda) wrong. Batman Begins revitalizes the series, focuses more on character development and plot (more importantly on Batman, and not the villains), and provides a dark, dreary, gothic atmosphere that's even better than the one Burton provided. All of this, along with an excellent cast, especially with Bale's intense brooding performance, and Murphy's deeply creepy and unnerving one, make this one of the better superhero films out there.
I will nitpick it and say that the editing (especially during the fight scenes) is quite choppy, and its hard to tell what is going on at times, and also that the film is maybe a bit too heavy handed and pretentious. However, even then, I think that's sort of a welcome thing, and it helps elevate this type of genre movie, it just goes a bit far with it. This is more grounded in reality, and is a welcome change from the past versions, but I still really like the stylized comic book elements from the old ones, though this take is great too.
I used to really love this, but now it's worn on me, and I think that, while it is really good, it's not the full on masterpiece I thought it originally was.

xGary Xx

Christopher Nolan had already proved he could do characters and dialogue and in this latest reinvention of the classic comic book character, he proves… MoreChristopher Nolan had already proved he could do characters and dialogue and in this latest reinvention of the classic comic book character, he proves emphatically that he can do action too. Taking cues from Tim Burton's previous attempt to bring the character back to its dark roots, Nolan's vision is so gritty and believable it makes Burton's film seem as comparatively camp as the Adam West TV series that preceded it. This origin story has no radioactive spiders or associated sillines; just an intelligent examination of a man's guilt and desire for revenge and the psychology of fear. This combined with unlimited resources that wealth can provide, Batman is born utilising some brilliant production design that not only looks fantastic, but also looks plausible. Bale was the perfect choice for the role, bringing a single-minded intensity to the character and is just as convincing in his pimpernel-esque role as billionaire playboy. The supporting cast of genuine actors including Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman add a lot of dramatic weight and the script is cleverly fleshed out. Possibly the only flaws are the fact that although Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy are both great it lacks a focal villain (something obviously rectified quite spectacularly by Heath Ledger in the sequel) and Katie Holmes is a bit of a dead zone but these gripes are insignificant compared to Nolan's achievement in bringing Batman to believable life. For me, this is easily one of the best superhero movie ever made and it stands up handsomely to repeated viewings. A future classic.

Directors Cat

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Christopher Nolan proved with Batman Begins for the first time that he understood… More[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
Christopher Nolan proved with Batman Begins for the first time that he understood the symbolism, the importance, and the feelings of the Batman in his profound reboot of the franchise. His direction and script is that of an intelligent fan of cinema who think the audience is as smart as he is. But if one thing's for sure, I cannot resist smiling at the sight of Gary Oldman attempting to drive the Batmobile. Christian Bale's charisma, charm and voice brings The Dark Knight to life and in a magnetic screen presence makes the character study work well. It's an extremely dark comic book adaptation and better than any other Batman film made previously. It's original, exciting, and filled with thrilling action sequences. Essentialy, it's an entertaining and deeply mature art house film about ideas, with a budget. It's incredible how a big super hero blockbuster film made for 200 million is as artistic as Batman Begins. There is no denying that it surprised everyone, whether they liked the film or they didn't. It's a masterpiece.

Alex roy

Christopher Nolan's sweeping first chapter in the rebooted Batman is a much needed breath of fresh air in the super hero genre. Batman & Robin was a… MoreChristopher Nolan's sweeping first chapter in the rebooted Batman is a much needed breath of fresh air in the super hero genre. Batman & Robin was a travesty of cinema; Joel Schumacher butchered something that Tim Burton worked hard at making. Batman forever was an average flick, but its follow-up tried to outdo everything, with much bigger effects, over the top villains and ridiculous costumes. The film was like a nightmare, it was like the equivalent of attending a Justin Bieber concert or getting your teeth pulled out. Schumacher made the worst superhero film ever made with Batman & Robin, his total disregard of the material and wanting to make everything flashy was a slap in the face to the fans. I've been a diehard Batman fan since childhood, and loved the Tim Burton films. But the series sunk to whole new low with Batman & Robin. However Warner Brothers delivered hired Nolan to helm Batman Begins, and the rest is as they say history. Christopher Nolan crafts a unique new take on the Batman tale. His understanding of what makes a good action film by giving us some real villains that can exist, unlike the stupid villains Schumacher gave us with Batman & Robin, these villains were real, and they were believable. Nolan has made a fantastic picture with this first entry of a stunning trilogy of films. This film brought back my fate in the franchise, and re-established Batman as a superhero to take seriously and not make fun of. The aspect that stands out the most about the film is Bruce Wayne's conflict, and what he tries to do to clean the streets and eventually become the Batman. Really, this is an astounding film, one that erases all the mistakes that Schumacher has made with his second Batman feature. This is a real treat to watch and is the definitive Batman film. This film was only matched by its sequels, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. This is a brilliant film that brought back faith in the character, and as a diehard fan of Batman, I was simply blown away. Christian Bale has made the character his own, and he is the best Batman since Michael Keaton. Batman Begins is the beginning of the darkest saga in the character's history. Brilliantly effective and with memorable action this film is a fine return to glory for the legendary Dark Knight.

Thomas Bowler

There is a small passage at the start of Frank Miller's comic book, "The Dark Knight Returns." It speaks of a bar, a small saloon which is… MoreThere is a small passage at the start of Frank Miller's comic book, "The Dark Knight Returns." It speaks of a bar, a small saloon which is usually filled with the long-forgotten villains of Gotham city. "They talk about a Man of Steel. An Amazon Princess."
"But they never talk about the mean one. The cruel one. The one who couldn't fly or bend steel in his hands. The one who scared the crap out of everybody and laughed at all of the rest of us for being the envious cowards we were... Not a man among them wants to hear about Batman."
And until Batman Begins, we never really had. In film anyway.
When a young Bruce Wayne experiences a tragedy, his life is taken down the path of vengeance and retribution upon the criminals of Gotham.
Batman has always been a favourite of filmmakers; iconic imagery, fantastic setting, great villains, heaps of source material to draw from. And yet, before Batman Begins, there had never been an origins story for the world's greatest masked detective. Tim Burton's Batman touched on the beginnings but we had never seen the transition from tortured adolescent to caped vigilante. Starting with this in mind, and keeping the movie firmly cemented in the real, plausible world, Nolan and his team created a Batman who was first and foremost Bruce Wayne and a film in which the man inside the suit is just as interesting as the one throwing himself from building to building. Nolan's attitude towards what was once simply a comic book character is what has given Batman Begins and its sequel such incredible status in the comic book movie genre. Nolan and Goyer's screenplay manages to recreate this superhero with all of his flaws and triumphs while making the human underneath just as complex and interesting. As much as the script is filled with huge action pieces, Nolan focuses on the smaller, heartfelt moments even more. Bruce Wayne meeting Rachel at a hotel and struggling desperately to make her think better of him. A young Bruce surrounded by the dead bodies of his parents, suddenly an orphan. While the script may be broadly funny and often plot-driven, it's moments like these when Nolan's understanding and love for this character beyond his suit and cape shines through. The suit and cape themselves have a clever and expanded history now, as well as the legendary Batmobile. Lifting the prototypes from his company's Research and Development department is a stroke of genius which only adds more to the illusion of plausibility. It's a long time before Batman puts on his suit, but the time spent figuring out Bruce Wayne is well spent. But then, when the suit is finally donned, the script soars even higher. Nolan doesn't shy away from or ignore the real world consequences of a masked vigilante beating up criminals, nor does he over-imbue his character with power. It's always obvious that our hero is just a man in a really thick suit; by no means invulnerable and hardly infallible. It's this factor which gives the action a nerve destroying edge, as it's never a guarantee that our hero will win; cape and all he may still fail. He's not faster than a speeding bullet and he doesn't have spidey sense. This reality makes every victory magnified exponentially, as you're just relieved Bruce actually survived, much less won.
And it's not just the script which makes these action scenes air-punch brilliant. Nolan's masterful work behind the camera gives the viewer a sense of scale which belies its studio limitations. Though limitations is actually a misnomer, as Gotham City was built inside an airplane hangar to the scale of an actual city. The city itself is a sprawling, expressionist wonderland, with the twisting, constantly raining narrows giving a sense of claustrophobia before any prisoners are let out of their cages or the monolithic skyscrapers of Gotham City looming large over a young Bruce Wayne. Nolan's mantra for Gotham's surrounding was 'eliminate whimsy,' and the result is a believable yet subtly effecting environment for his hero. This mantra carries over into the rest of the film as well, with a practiced and precise filming style throughout the film. Nolan's decision to "film Batman from the point-of-view of the criminals" is a brilliant one. Batman's first attack on organised crime at Falcone's shipments gives Batman an almost magical, supernatural ability to appear and disappear at will. And while you realise that it's all theatricality and deception, it never dulls the effect. When Batman appears in the middle of a group of henchmen, all the action takes place in the viewer's mind as all we truly witness is a flurry of feet and the occasional flap of a cape. But Nolan knows that the smoke and mirrors approach only works in moderation and during Batman's climactic battle, he shows Batman in all his glory, soaring through the narrows, perching crouched on railings and beating the hell out of his opponents. It's a clever journey from ducking and weaving through the action to exposing it in all of its balls-out glory and it makes for exhilarating viewing.
Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard's collaborative score only adds to this feeling. Not since Jaws have two notes been so successfully used to create an unmistakable theme. The film's score beautifully underscores and accentuates the action onscreen.
But all of this would be for naught without the man underneath the cowl. Christian Bale, just coming off his exemplary work on The Machinist looked anorexic and frail, not the ideal look for a billionaire who spends his nights beating up the criminal underworld with his bare hands. But his understanding and complete inhabiting of Bruce Wayne, coupled with his incredible ability to be whatever size he needs to be for a role, means that his version of the Batman will live on in history as the definitive performance in the minds of many. His performance isn't overly showy or screen hogging, but its purity and simplicity make it utterly believable and totally convincing both as the man in a cape and a man trying to seem perfectly normal to the outside world. Bale has said that his favourite part about the character is that his public persona of Bruce Wayne is the man's real performance, that the Batman is who he really is. Bale's understanding of this character makes this one of his best performances of one hell of a career. The supporting cast do great work as well. It's hardly strange considering that the support consists of Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson and Rutger Hauer, but the cast are uniformly convincing in the respective parts. If there's a weak point it's Katie Holmes' Rachel, but Bale's performance brings hers up by association. The standout of the supporting cast, however, is Cillian Murphy, a relatively small-time star before Batman, who turns in a clever, twisted and often terrifying performance as Scarecrow. He's menacing and cold in equal parts as well as being utterly despicable at all times.
Batman Begins is the first fitting origin for one of the world's favourite superheroes, as well as being a brilliant piece of cinema and a detailed study of a difficult character. That'd be Christopher Nolan's work then.
Defining Scene:
Batman's first assault on organised crime ending with a very special signal lighting up the sky. A hero is born again.
Quotes:
It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.